Shelby Farms Park is gearing up for the second annual Mempho Music Festival and another chance to showcase the country’s largest urban park to a diverse and wide-reaching audience.
Memphis’ newest music festival is expecting a crowd of 20,000 on Oct. 6 and 7, which is impressive for a park two years out from a $70 million renovation embarked upon in 2010 with a distant vision for such an event.
The master plan for the park was designed not only for people to recreate and relax, but as a place to build community, and a music festival can be a big part of that, said Jen Andrews, executive director of Shelby Farms Park. Andrews has always had a larger vision for the park as a place where the community could come together and take ownership and pride in the best that Memphis has to offer.
Enter another visionary, native Memphian Diego Winegardner, founder of Mempho Fest and CEO of Big River Presents, which is putting on the festival. Winegardner grew up in Memphis and now lives outside of New York City where his day job is in finance and investment management. A couple of years ago on a trip home to Memphis he met some old friends for a bike ride at Shelby Farms Park.
“I was completely blown away,” Winegardner said. “The sun was setting on Hyde Lake, and I had this lightning-bolt moment of how special it would be to bring a world-class music festival to this site.
I thought about Memphis’ place in the annals of American music as the birthplace of blues, soul and R&B and the hip hop scene that we have here.
“If you think about the labels … Sun, Stax, Royal…I was exposed to all of that growing up, and seeing B.B. King on Beale Street was just normal,” he said. “I didn’t appreciate it until I was gone. I started to get really nostalgic about my hometown.”
Winegardner is a music enthusiast who has been to most of the notable music festivals in the U.S. and many around the world. He had the resources and connections to realize his dream. Last year, the first Mempho Fest kicked off with great success with 10,000 in attendance for two days of concerts featuring a variety of bands from different music genres.
“I’ve always been a big fan of (Memphis) and its people and a big defender of the city and its history,” Winegardner said. “This music festival was born out of my passion for music and my passion for the city of Memphis.”
When Winegardner first met with Andrews two years ago to pitch his idea, she caught his vision right away.
He approached it cautiously and wanted to understand how to protect the park and still give people a good experience, she said. “We like working with Diego,” she said. “They care about the park, and like us, have a big, bold vision, and they hired a professional team who knew how to put on a safe and fun event.”
This year’s festival will feature two days of multi-genre music headlined by Grammy Award-winning artist and hip-hop superstar Post Malone as well as Beck, Phoenix, NAS and Janelle Monae. Local talent like Lucero and alternative Mac deMarco also will perform, and there will be a special tribute to Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios featuring the label’s past and present stars.
Sunday will feature performances by crowd favorites like George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic and Stones Throw, Chuck Laevell’s Rolling Stones’ backer band.
The festival will not only expand in attendance, but will add a larger culinary and craft beer presence in addition to on-site camping and VIP and super-VIP experiences.
“We’re trying to create more than just music on a stage,” said Winegardner, who also created a nonprofit arm called Mempho Matters that will partner with organizations that line-up with the vision of the festival, such as Oceanic Global Foundation, #BringYourSoul, Learn to Rock and the Memphis Area Women’s Council’s “Memphis Says NO MORE” campaign.
As part of Mempho’s partnership with the Oceanic Global Foundation, the festival has a 100 percent waste-free goal, which will start with its no straw policy.
“A best practice environmental policy is important to help make sure the park is as pristine when we leave as when we showed up,” said Winegardner.
The partnership promoting the Memphis Area Women’s Council’s “NO MORE” campaign is to make sure that Mempho Fest’s female attendees feel safe. Winegardner, who has a teenage daughter, knows stories about the lack of safety for females at other events, prompting him to take up the cause.
“In this day and age, you really have to take a stand and make it an institutional part of our way of doing things,” he said.
Money raised through Mempho Matters will also benefit the Memphis community through contributions to musical education in the form of free tickets for students and teachers to attend the festival as well as instruments and money for music education in local schools.
Last year, Mempho Matters gave away 2,000 tickets to students and teachers.
“We want to build bridges into the community and be as inclusive as possible,” Winegardner said. “We want to educate the children and the youth of tomorrow about the history of Memphis musically and create a sense of pride for its citizens while also attracting new people and adding another chapter to Memphis’ long, rich history.”
Andrews is optimistic about the growth of Mempho Fest this year, projecting double the attendance in its second year as well as adding 400 weekend camping permits. Those include primitive camping, RV hookups and glamping.
“The camping option is an important part of festival culture, and one of the great benefits of the park is its tremendous scale, which can accommodate that,” Andrews said.
But the plan is to grow Mempho Fest slowly, she said.
“We learned a lot the first year, and we’re applying the learning to this year’s festival,” she said. “We have a strong plan for safely managing the crowd. We want this to be a world-class festival.”
Big River Productions and Winegardner have an undisclosed agreement with Shelby Farms Park, and both entities hope to continue the relationship.
“I’m hoping that Mempho Fest will become a long-term asset for the city of Memphis,” Winegardner said.
Music remains a big driver of visitors to Memphis — 56 percent of leisure visitors come to the city for something related to music, said Kevin Kane, president and CEO of Memphis Tourism, formerly called the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We’re supporters of (Mempho Fest),” he said. “We believe in it and want to see it grow. Music festivals have a big impact on the economy. The more events we have based in music the better, and we think it’s great to utilize Shelby Farms in this way.”

2. The Week Ahead: Aug. 20-26 - Monday, August 20, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! Fall is just around the corner and the weather later this week may give a you a more convincing notion of that. Here is a list of events and meetings that may be of interest as you get the week started.

3. Kansas GOP governor candidates dig in for long ballot fight - Tuesday, August 14, 2018

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas election officials began reviewing some 9,000 provisional ballots Monday from the state's tight GOP primary for governor as the two candidates appeared to dig in for a long and potentially nasty legal fight that could take weeks to play out.

4. The Week Ahead: Aug. 13-19 - Monday, August 13, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! A host a government meetings and late summer movie offerings mark this week in mid-August. The Labor Day holiday weekend and start of football season isn’t too far off.

5. The Week Ahead: Aug. 6-12 - Monday, August 6, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! It’s that time of year again when backpacks, books and buses are on the minds of families around the county. Here’s to a prosperous year for the students of Shelby County Schools and a first day that is safe and fun.  

6. The Week Ahead: July 30-August 5 - Monday, July 30, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! The break from summer humidity has been nice, but it means school is just around the corner. Fortunately, there are plenty of events for you to enjoy as the home stretch of summer appears.

7. Goodwood Brewing Expanding Into Memphis - Saturday, July 21, 2018

Chattanooga-based Athens Distributing Co. is bringing Goodwood Brewing Co. barrel-aged and wood-touched beers to the Bluff City.

8. The Week Ahead: July 16-22 - Monday, July 16, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! The popular Roundhouse Revival at the Mid-South Coliseum returns this weekend, along with a retro skate night against the scenic backdrop of the Mississippi River at sunset. Check out those events and more happenings you need to know about in The Week Ahead...

9. Louisville’s Goodwood Brewing Expands Distribution to Memphis - Monday, July 16, 2018

Chattanooga-based Athens Distributing Co. is bringing Goodwood Brewing Co. barrel-aged and wood-touched beers to the Bluff City.

10. Amazon, Container Store Eye New Locations in Memphis - Monday, July 16, 2018

5155 Citation Dr.

Memphis, TN 38118

Permit Amount: $10 million

Application Date: July 10 

Owner: Exeter Property Group

Tenant: Amazon

11. Say Cheese - Thursday, July 12, 2018

A new food festival is coming to Memphis this summer, and it’s already a sold-out event. The inaugural Butcher Board Festival will be held at the South Main Market on Sunday, July 22, and will feature charcuterie, cheeses, brews, and more, all of which are sourced from local vendors.

12. The Week Ahead: July 9-15 - Monday, July 9, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! This week delivers a blast with some entertainment straight out of the '80s, plus your chance to tour a midcentury property in the midst of a restoration. Plus, we share what you need to know about early voting, I-240 closures, and plenty of other local happenings in The Week Ahead...

13. Month-old Bike-Share Program Exceeding Expectations in Memphis - Friday, June 22, 2018

And we’re rollin’! The new bicycle-sharing system introduced a month ago is exceeding expectations and fueling hopes that Memphis is on a revolutionary pathway to improve health and community connectivity.

14. Last Word: Kiwanis Debate, Haslam on the Gov. Race and Street Work - Thursday, June 14, 2018

For the last couple of days there has been this brewing story that Kim Kardashian West was on her way to the city to meet with Alice Marie Johnson, the convicted drug dealer sentenced to life in prison who was pardoned by President Donald Trump last week after serving 21 years in federal prison. And that is just what happened Wednesday – almost. The meeting was in Southaven. And, according to People, it included lessons in how to use Snapchat. The meeting included an interview with the Today show that will air Thursday morning.

15. Last Word: After The Tom Lee Storm, Tiger Lane Changes and Crosstown Growth - Tuesday, May 29, 2018

A year ago many of you were without power in the wake of a sudden and violent storm that has come to be known as the Tom Lee Storm. It is the third most powerful storm, according to Memphis Light Gas and Water Division, in terms of those without power and the damage done. It’s called the Tom Lee storm because the 1950s-era Tom Lee memorial in Tom Lee Park – the obelisk – was toppled and shattered as the obelisk fell from the base. A year later, the base that proclaims Tom Lee “a worthy Negro” remains and the obelisk is in storage.

16. May 25-31, 2018: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, May 26, 2018

2017: A storm from eastern Arkansas intensifies as it crosses the Mississippi River into Memphis with winds topping 80 miles an hour. The wind damage uproots trees and knocks off limbs, damaging homes and businesses.
The storm knocks out power to almost half of the homes and businesses in Memphis and the surrounding area on the Memorial Day weekend, and some are without power for more than a week afterward. MLGW president Jerry Collins says it is the third-largest outage in the city’s history behind the 1994 ice storm and “Hurricane Elvis” in 2003.

17. Crosstown Crossroads - Saturday, May 26, 2018

When Octavia Young opened Midtown Crossing Grill in 2014, the area around what would eventually become the Crosstown Concourse was a lot different than it is now.

Though there were some agreements in place at the time, there were no guarantees that the wildly ambitious but risky project would a success, and even if it was, there was no telling how long it would take for that success to spill out into the surrounding neighborhood.

18. Supporting Musicians Focus of New Initiative - Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Old Dominick Distillery is hosting a bash this week to raise money for a new program that supports Memphis musicians while also turning them into ambassadors for the city.

The Tambourine Bash kicks off at 7 p.m. on April 19 at Old Dominick, 305 S. Front St. It is a first-ever benefit event for the nonprofit Music Export Memphis, which plans to launch a pilot version of its ambassador program later this year.

19. Events - Saturday, April 7, 2018

Art by Design, a designer showcase benefiting ArtsMemphis, is underway through Sunday, April 8, in the Pipkin Building at the Mid-South Fairgrounds. More than a dozen interior design team have created custom “vignettes” within a chic gallery showroom, with special presentations each day. Single-day tickets are $20.  Visit artsmemphis.org for details and hours.

20. Events - Friday, April 6, 2018

Art by Design, a designer showcase benefiting ArtsMemphis, is underway through Sunday, April 8, in the Pipkin Building at the Mid-South Fairgrounds. More than a dozen interior design team have created custom “vignettes” within a chic gallery showroom, with special presentations each day. Single-day tickets are $20. Visit artsmemphis.org for details and hours.

21. Events - Thursday, April 5, 2018

The city of Memphis dedicates I Am A Man Plaza with a ceremony and open house Thursday, April 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the plaza, which is adjacent to Clayborn Temple at Hernando Street and Pontotoc Avenue. The city plaza is dedicated to the 1,300 city sanitation workers that went on strike in 1968 and includes a wall with the names of the strikers. Thursday’s event will also feature food trucks and live performances. Cost is free. Visit iammemphis.org.

22. EPE Expansion in Limbo, Overton Square Restaurant Sets Opening Date - Monday, March 26, 2018

3734 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38116

Project Cost: $22 million

Owner: Elvis Presley Enterprises

Details: Elvis Presley Enterprises’ expansion plans have been put on hold for the second straight month as the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County board continues to sort out if any implications will stem from approving bond financing for the Whitehaven project.

23. Next Undercurrent Event Set for Crosstown Brewing - Monday, February 26, 2018

A new addition to the craft brewery scene in Memphis will host a gathering of young professionals and creatives who gather monthly at different hotspots around the city to meet each other and network.

24. Last Word: Closing the Loophole, Skeleton Hotel Update and Jubilee Conversion - Friday, February 2, 2018

The state legislator who sponsored the most recent version of the law making it much more difficult to remove Confederate monuments acknowledges that the city of Memphis found a legitimate loophole in the 2016 law he crafted. Republican Steve McDaniel, of Parkers Crossroads, tells our Nashville correspondent Sam Stockard that he has a bill in the House to close the loophole. But it won't undo what happened here. Although there is still a court fight over that taking shape.

25. Crosstown Brewing Company Prepares for Grand Opening - Friday, February 2, 2018

Ahead of the opening of its taproom in a few weeks, Crosstown Brewing Company has started sending its beers to bars and restaurants in Memphis as the new brand formally launches in the market.

The brand has been in the works in some form or fashion since the beginning of 2015. That’s when co-founders Will Goodwin and Clark Ortkiese launched a Facebook page for their craft beer brewery, the first post for which was simply the brand’s logo. It generated a flood of interest, which then translated into support for a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds - more than $28,000.

26. The Week Ahead: Jan. 29-Feb. 4 - Monday, January 29, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! Proceedings related to the city’s removal of Confederate statues from two parks get underway, just one of many events on a busy Monday. Check our rundown of all the happenings you need to know about in The Week Ahead…

27. Dunavant Awards Will Feature Hardy As Keynote - Friday, January 26, 2018

As a lifelong Memphian and successful entrepreneur, Carolyn Hardy is all about finding new ways to grow the city.

28. Last Word: The Snow Split, Amazon Post-Mortem and Intermodal Comeback - Friday, January 19, 2018

A split verdict on Snow Day 4. Some school systems and colleges and universities are out again Friday, others are not and still others are opening later in the day. Shelby County Schools, which is out, says it has 13 extra days built into its schedule for just such an event or events – that is 13 days extra beyond the 180 days the state requires as the bare minimum for a school year.

29. Virginia-Based Brewery Brings its Beers to Memphis - Friday, January 19, 2018

A Virginia-based brewery, Devils Backbone Brewing Co., has kicked off its 10th anniversary year with a launch of its product in Memphis and a series of events around the city this week.

30. The Week Ahead: Dec. 25-31, 2017 - Monday, December 25, 2017

Good morning, Memphis, and a very Merry Christmas! Gifts are unwrapped, holiday cheer is spread, and now we start looking forward to the Liberty Bowl – featuring our own University of Memphis Tigers – plus a whole slate of New Year’s Eve events happening around the city. Check out all our top picks for what to do in The Week Ahead...

31. The Week Ahead: December 18-24 - Monday, December 18, 2017

Good morning, Memphis! Winter officially begins this week, and Santa’s making one last pass on his naughty-or-nice list (though we know you’ve all been good this year). Check out a couple of ways you can give back – plus more fun happenings you need to know about – in The Week Ahead...

32. Last Word: The Year of Tyreke Evans, Opioid Ruling and Installing a Jumper - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

The Tigers basketball home opener is a come from behind win Tuesday at the Forum over Little Rock 70-62. Still not enough to determine where this new team in so many ways is bound. But that won’t stop the early speculation … or the later speculation starting with the New Orleans game at the Forum in another week. The Grizz take their turn Wednesday with the Pacers kicking off a Grizz home stand followed by the Rockets Saturday for the third time in this young season, Trail Blazers Monday and Mavericks Wednesday. But let’s not get too far ahead here.

33. Bringing Down Walls - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

High Cotton Brewing Co. and Edge Alley, which were already two of the Memphis Medical District’s more popular venues on their own, have taken a taken a very tangible step in combining the two concepts into a single entity.

34. Making Best Better - Thursday, November 9, 2017

More than a decade ago, Carolyn Hardy was a vice president with the Coors Brewing Co. in Memphis when she attended the Leadership Development Intensive (LDI), a personal leadership training ground stretched across 3 1/2 days.

35. November 3-9, 2017: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, November 4, 2017

1933: The Tennessee Brewing Co. reopens for the first time in 15 years with the first bottles of Goldcrest beer, brewed and bottled in Memphis, delivered to stores by the Tennessee Brewing Co.

36. The Week Ahead: Oct. 16-22 - Monday, October 16, 2017

Hey, Memphis! Fall is definitely in the air now, as the slate of festivals and fun outdoor activities continue to roll on in the Bluff City. The Memphis Grizzlies open their 2017-2018 season at FedExForum against Tony Allen’s new team and don’t be surprised if you start seeing some ghosts and goblins by this weekend.

37. Week Ahead: Oct. 2-9 - Monday, October 2, 2017

Hey, Memphis! Prepare to rock out this week as the Mempho Music Festival hits Shelby Farms Park and Wilco plays The Orpheum. Plus, Beale Street memorializes one of its own, Memphis legal pros discuss the Confederate monuments issue, and much more in The Week Ahead…

38. Panel: Memphis a Food Town in Which Restaurants Build Community - Monday, September 18, 2017

High Cotton Brewing Co. co-founder Brice Timmons has a quote he jokingly uses to describe the life of a beer brewer in Memphis.

39. Deciding When to Expand is Tricky For Food Industry Entrepreneurs - Saturday, September 9, 2017

Memphis historically has been a great place to birth a food business concept. From Perkins to Corky’s to Back Yard Burgers and everything in between, Memphis has seen many successful restaurant concepts expand beyond the city limits.

40. Recipe for Success - Saturday, September 9, 2017

If you’re in the process of starting a restaurant, or really any kind of food- or drink-related enterprise, and you find yourself in conversation with High Cotton Brewing Co. co-founder Brice Timmons about it, you might be tempted to ask him for some advice on how it’s done.

41. The Week Ahead: Sept. 4-10 - Monday, September 4, 2017

Hello, Memphis – and Happy Labor Day! Hopefully the promise of an exciting football season and Memphis Redbirds playoff games will help ease you back into work mode after the three-day weekend. Both are in store – along with Goat Days and much more – in The Week Ahead...

42. Wizards Return - Tuesday, September 5, 2017

The past couple of years has seen the return of pinball tables across the Mid-South, with groups like Memphis Pinball hosting weekly gatherings at places like Memphis Made Brewing and the new pinball arcade in Millington, The Retro.

43. The Week Ahead: July 17-23 - Monday, July 17, 2017

Hello, Memphis! Young, local artists are in the spotlight this week with a couple of art shows where you can meet these talented youths and someday say, “I knew them before they were famous.” Check out details on those, plus more cool events and hot happenings in The Week Ahead…

44. Events - Friday, June 16, 2017

Memphis Juneteenth Urban Music Festival will be held Friday, June 16, through Sunday, June 18, in Robert R. Church Park, at Beale and South Fourth streets. The festival will feature live music, vendors senior activities, kids zone and more. Admission is free. Visit memphisjuneteenth.com for a schedule.

45. The Week Ahead: May 15-21 - Monday, May 15, 2017

Happy Monday, Memphis! This week, Downtown welcomes barbecue teams from around the world coming to compete in the Super Bowl of Swine. Plus, we’ve got details on the remembrance of a somber moment in Memphis history; a reading festival for kids of all ages; and more you need to know about in The Week Ahead…

46. Boyd’s Move for Police Overtime Cut Has Deeper Roots - Monday, May 8, 2017

Of 10 Memphis City Council members present Thursday, May 4, for the ongoing review of the city budget proposal, half favored a move to cut police overtime and half did not.

Two efforts by council chairman Berlin Boyd to cut the $22.4 million line item – first by $5 million and then by $2.7 million – failed on tie votes both times, with some council members switching sides from one vote to the next.

47. Boyd Police Overtime Cut Approved - Friday, May 5, 2017

Of 10 Memphis City Council members present Thursday, May 4, for the ongoing review of the city budget proposal, half favored a move to cut police overtime and half did not.

The two efforts by council chairman Berlin Boyd to cut the $22.4 million line item – first by $5 million and then by $2.7 million – failed on tie votes both times with some council members switching sides from one vote to the next.

48. Memphis Made Brewing Starts Concert Series - Saturday, April 22, 2017

This month, Memphis Made Brewing Co. is starting up something to showcase its love of the Bluff City’s music and community: the Memphis Made Community Concert Series.

49. Memphis Made Brewing Co. Starts Benefit Concert Series - Friday, April 21, 2017

This month, Memphis Made Brewing Co. is starting up something to showcase its love of the Bluff City’s music and community: the Memphis Made Community Concert Series.

50. GMACW May Become Part of EDGE - Tuesday, April 18, 2017

The Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce would become part of the Economic Development Growth Engine organization in a proposal the EDGE board is to vote on Wednesday, April 19.

GMACW was created three years ago as part of a regional economic development plan and its efforts have include the “MemphisWorks” app of job listings and videos as well as job resumes that was launched late last year. The alliance has also explored the idea of Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools, also known as P-Tech schools that extend high school for two years beyond the senior year and offer college-level courses starting in the 10th grade for college credit.

51. GMACW To Merge With EDGE - Monday, April 17, 2017

The Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce would become part of the Economic Development Growth Engine organization in a proposal the EDGE board is to vote on Wednesday, April 19.

GMACW was created three years ago as part of a regional economic development plan and its efforts have include the “MemphisWorks” apps of job listings and videos as well as job resumes with interaction between the two groups that was launched late last year. The alliance has also explored the idea of Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools, also known as P-Tech schools that extend high school for two years beyond the senior year and offer college level courses starting in the 10th grade for college credit.

52. Freewheel Goes Full Circle For Its Second Season - Saturday, April 15, 2017

Freewheel, the Memphis Medical District Collaborative’s slow-ride bicycle program, is returning for a second season beginning April 19.

The rides, which will take place every Wednesday for six consecutive weeks, provide a free opportunity to casually explore neighborhoods by bike and learn more about the medical district’s new and existing hidden treasures.

53. Freewheel Comes Full Circle For Its Second Season - Friday, April 14, 2017

Freewheel, the Memphis Medical District Collaborative’s slow-ride bicycle program, is returning for a second season beginning Wednesday, April 19.

The rides, which will take place every Wednesday for six consecutive weeks, provide a free opportunity to casually explore neighborhoods by bike and learn more about the medical district’s new and existing hidden treasures.

54. Binghampton’s Diverse Culture On Display at Kaleidoscope Festival - Wednesday, April 12, 2017

With nearly 20 nationalities calling Binghampton home, the neighborhood possibly is the most culturally diverse in Memphis.

That diversity will be celebrated Saturday, April 15, at Wiseacre Brewing Co. with Kaleidoscope, a multicultural food festival that will present a variety of food entrepreneurs serving up unique goodness from their homes. The food festival is the culmination of work over the past year to support refugee and immigrant food entrepreneurs in the Binghampton community.

55. Freewheel Comes Full-Circle for Second Season - Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Freewheel, the Memphis Medical District Collaborative’s slow ride bicycle program announced it’s returning for a second season which begins on April 19.

The rides, which will take place every Wednesday for six consecutive weeks, provide a free opportunity to casually explore neighborhoods by bike and learn more about the Medical District’s new and existing hidden treasures.

56. Malco Moving Forward With Downtown Theater - Thursday, April 6, 2017

45 E. G.E. Patterson Ave.
Memphis, TN 38103 

Permit Amount: $5 million

Project Cost: $55 million

Application Date: March 2017

57. Last Word: The Catechism of 1968, Downtown Hotels and Earth Day on Auto Row - Tuesday, April 4, 2017

What happened 49 years ago this week in our city began long before the first sanitation worker walked off the job or the first “I Am A Man” sign was made. Maybe it was that long arc that explains the timing of what happened here in late March into the first week of April of 1968. For just about half a century now we have thought and thought again about that chronology, reviewed the details. And what we have is a sort of catechism of moments that if they had happened differently, we can’t help thinking, might have produced a different result.

58. Wiseacre Tables Plans to Build Brewery in Coliseum - Monday, April 3, 2017

Wiseacre Brewing Co.'s plans to expand into the Mid-South Coliseum are off but could re-emerge somewhere down the road as the city administration renews discussions about a fuller renovation of the Mid-South Fairgrounds.

59. The Week Ahead: April 3-9 - Monday, April 3, 2017

This week, Memphis marks the 49th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination with events at the National Civil Rights Museum and elsewhere. The Week Ahead also holds a look into the science of Overton Park’s Old Forest, a chance to support cancer research with Relay for Life, and much more...

60. Malco Moving Forward With Downtown Theater - Saturday, April 1, 2017

Malco Theatre’s multimillion-dollar Downtown movie theater has taken another step toward completion.

A $5 million building permit application for the foundation of a new seven-screen movie theater was filed with the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement.

61. 2 Midtown Restaurants Seek to Incorporate Shipping Containers - Friday, March 31, 2017

The Broad Avenue Arts District has long been innovative when it comes to the creative reuse of formerly blighted properties, and its newest addition seeks to continue this trend.

The owners of City & State on Broad Avenue filed paperwork with the city of Memphis requesting approval to convert an abandoned liquor store into a diner – fittingly named The Liquor Store – that will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

62. City of Memphis, Partners Urge Small Developers to Step Up - Friday, March 31, 2017

With once seemingly impossible projects coming to fruition like the Crosstown Concourse and ServiceMaster converting the former Peabody Place mall into its new corporate headquarters, there’s a feeling in the city that no project is too big to tackle.

63. Malco Moving Forward With Downtown Theater - Thursday, March 30, 2017

Malco Theatre’s multimillion-dollar Downtown movie theater has taken another step toward completion.

A $5 million building permit application for the foundation of a new seven-screen movie theater was filed with the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement.

64. 901 Popper Throwdown Taking Place Saturday - Saturday, March 25, 2017

The group behind the Best Memphis Burger Fest is behind a new signature food event, the 901 Popper Throwdown, happening Saturday, March 25, at High Cotton Brewing Co. The free, family-friendly event will feature jalapeno popper cook-offs, a jalapeno-eating competition, live music, and High Cotton brews.

65. Events - Saturday, March 25, 2017

The second series of Memphis 3.0 public meetings kicks off with three meetings this week:
• Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m.: Oakhaven High School, 3125 Ladbrook Road
• Tuesday, March 28, 5:30 p.m.: Hollywood Community Center, 1560 N. Hollywood St.
• Thursday, March 30, 5:30 p.m.: Glenview Community Center, 1141 S. Barksdale St.
The comprehensive planning team will share research that has been conducted since the first set of rallies, which generated more than 10,000 comments, and seek input on specific topics to help shape priorities and goals. Visit memphis3point0.com for details and a schedule of April meetings.

66. Last Word: Veep Visit, Women and Baseball and Civil Rights Cold Cases - Friday, March 24, 2017

Game time at FedExForum for the NCAA South semifinals and Vice President Mike Pence is expected to be here to cheer on the Butler Bulldogs. The Butler mascot – a live bulldog – was already in town Thursday making the rounds. I think March Madness requires that all involved up their mascot game if they get this far. So UCLA, we expect to see a live bear roaming Beale Street. You might be able to work a deal with the zoo on this. But if there’s a cost split make sure you nail down those percentages.

67. Events - Friday, March 24, 2017

A Second Series Of Memphis 3.0 Public Meetings Begins Saturday, March 25, At 10 A.m. At Oakhaven High School, 3125 Ladbrook Road. The Comprehensive Planning Team Will Share Research That Has Been Conducted Since The First Set Of Rallies, Which Generated More Than 10,000 Comments, And Help Shape Priorities And Goals For Memphis 3.0’S Vision. Visit Memphis3point0.Com For Details And A Schedule.

68. 901 Popper Throwdown Taking Place Saturday - Tuesday, March 21, 2017

The group behind the Best Memphis Burger Fest is behind a new signature food event, the 901 Popper Throwdown, happening Saturday, March 25, at High Cotton Brewing Co. The free, family-friendly event will feature jalapeno popper cook-offs, a jalapeno-eating competition, live music, and High Cotton brews.

69. Miller Strengthens Neighborhoods in Medical District - Friday, March 10, 2017

Though you may not have noticed, one of Memphis’ districts is being thoughtfully enhanced, one project at a time.

It’s called the Medical District, and it comprises 2 1/2 square miles surrounding nine anchor institutions: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Methodist Healthcare, Regional One Health, Memphis Bioworks, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Baptist College of Health Sciences and the Southern College of Optometry.

70. Events - Thursday, March 9, 2017

Party at the Plaza, a kickoff party for a yearlong art installation by Cat Peña, will be held Thursday, March 9, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the plaza at 600 Monroe Ave. (at Marshall Avenue). Hosted by the Memphis Medical District Collaborative, The Edge District and Downtown Memphis Commission, the party will include live music by John Paul Keith, beer from High Cotton Brewing, and more. Cost is free. Visit downtownmemphis.com.

71. New Midtown Brewery Files $1.2M Building Permit Application - Thursday, March 9, 2017

1350 Concourse Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104 

Permit Amount: $1.2 million

Application Date: March 2017

Owner: Crosstown Concourse

72. Clayborn Temple Restoration Approaches One-Year Mark - Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Box lunches and stained glass were the order of the day as developers of Clayborn Temple hosted the Rotary Club last month at the landmark Downtown church.

It was one in a series of events Frank Smith and Rob Thompson have hosted at the AME Church since they reopened its doors last October to explore uses for it and start a fuller renovation in time for the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the spring of 2018.

73. New Midtown Brewery Seeks $1.2M Building Permit - Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Memphis’ newest addition to the local craft beer scene is ready to begin construction on its Midtown brewery.

Crosstown Brewing Co. has filed a $1.2 million building permit application with the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement for its new craft brewery at Crosstown Concourse.

74. Last Word: Bar Louie's Corner, Chucalissa and Shark Tank for Ag - Monday, March 6, 2017

The key corner at the intersection of Madison Avenue and North Cooper Street is the southwest corner where since the opening of a renovated Overton Square several years ago Bar Louie has had the corner. And the restaurant chain wants to keep the corner although its landlord wants to make a change. That’s the bottom line in bankruptcy reorganization court documents filed in February.

75. New Midtown Brewery Files $1.2M Building Permit Application - Saturday, March 4, 2017

Memphis’ newest addition to the local craft beer scene has been cleared to begin construction on their new Midtown brewery.

Crosstown Brewing Co. filed a $1.2 million building permit application with the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement for their new location at the Crosstown Concourse.

76. New Midtown Brewery Files $1.2M Building Permit Application - Friday, March 3, 2017

Crosstown Brewing Co. has filed a $1.2 million building permit application with the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement for its new location at the Crosstown Concourse.

77. Finding Weekend Escape in Tuscaloosa - Thursday, February 16, 2017

When I hear Tuscaloosa, it’s almost always in the classic voice of former college football announcer Keith Jackson as he welcomes TV viewers to the campus of the University of Alabama.

78. Fenter Leaving GMACW For Marion - Thursday, February 2, 2017

The leader of the Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce is leaving the local workforce development effort to become superintendent of the Marion School District in Arkansas.

Glen Fenter’s resignation to take the superintendent’s position was confirmed Tuesday, Jan. 31, by GMACW. Fenter was named superintendent of Marion Schools Jan. 17, pending approval of the Marion School Board, after he was recommended by a search firm.

79. Fenter Leaving GMACW for Marion Schools Post - Wednesday, February 1, 2017

The leader of the Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce is leaving the local workforce development effort to become superintendent of the Marion School District in Arkansas.

80. Brewers Applaud Tennessee Law Change on High-Gravity Beer - Wednesday, January 25, 2017

In the wake of a Tennessee law that went into effect Jan. 1 that opens up several new styles of beer for local breweries to take advantage of, Memphis Made Brewing Co. put together a slumber party.

81. Last Word: The Elvis Tradition, Cordova Brewery and Parkside Path - Monday, January 9, 2017

For about three decades now, there has been a cultural and political tradition around the birthday of Elvis Presley. It used to be a proclamation by the Shelby County Mayor and the Memphis Mayor on the steps of Graceland with a birthday cake.

82. The Week Ahead: December 19-25 - Monday, December 19, 2016

Good morning, Memphis! With only a few days left until Christmas, sparkling lights and holiday happenings are taking place citywide – and that’s not all that’s taking place this week, as the Memphis Tigers go bowling and the Electoral College makes the presidential election official. Check out what else you need to know in The Week Ahead…

83. City of Memphis Offers Bike Rack Service - Saturday, December 10, 2016

The city of Memphis is offering a set of 10 bike racks to be used for bicycles at public or private events.

The offer from the city Division of Engineering is being managed without charge by the nonprofit Bike Walk Memphis.

84. ‘MemphisWorks’ Jobs, Training App Launches - Wednesday, December 7, 2016

A new “MemphisWorks” app unveiled Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Greater Memphis Chamber’s Annual Chairman’s Luncheon is a comprehensive jobs and training effort that took nine months to get in one digital place, with help from an anonymous donor.

85. City of Memphis Offers Bike Rack Service - Monday, December 5, 2016

The city of Memphis is offering a set of 10 bike racks to be used for bicycles at public or private events.

The offer from the city Division of Engineering is being managed without charge to the city by the nonprofit Bike Walk Memphis.

86. Clayborn Reborn Effort Charts Different Pre-vitalization Path - Monday, October 24, 2016

The hope has been that the redevelopment of Central Station in the South Main area would cause a ripple in development to the east and link up with the sprawling South City development that encompasses the Foote Homes public housing development, the area south of FedExForum, and go south of Crump Boulevard.

87. October 14-20, 2016: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, October 15, 2016

2015: The University of Memphis Tigers football team beats Ole Miss 37-24 at a sold-out Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in a game televised on ABC. It’s a big day in the city. Some tailgaters showed up the night before, anticipating a colossal traffic back-up around the fairgrounds. The evening of the game, a smaller, sold-out crowd gathers at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts for the induction of the latest class to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Among those in attendance is late-night TV talk show host Jimmy Fallon, who is inducting Justin Timberlake. Keith Richards is present to induct Scotty Moore.

88. The Week Ahead: October 3-9 - Monday, October 3, 2016

Well, Memphis, it’s a new month and your Grizzlies return to the court for another season of thrills under a new head coach, David Fizdale. The week starts off with a presidential visit – no, not one of the frontrunners, but a Green Party candidate who will be stumping in Crosstown. Here's what else you need to know in The Week Ahead...

89. Last Word: The Debate, Arnold Palmer and an Analysts' Poll on First Horizon - Monday, September 26, 2016

Monday evening is the first of the Trump-Clinton Presidential debates and it will probably be watched very closely for a number of reasons – not the least of which is vigorous fact-checking of both candidates and the unique nature of this campaign between the two major contenders who are by several standards the most unpopular Presidential candidates to run against each other in our lifetimes.

90. National Experts to Explore Parking, Transit Solutions for City’s Core - Monday, September 26, 2016

Billions of public and private dollars being invested in the urban core of Memphis have civic leaders thinking about long-term transportation and parking solutions that will best serve the area as it evolves.

91. City Council Pot Ordinance Passes Its First Reading - Saturday, September 10, 2016

The Memphis City Council is one step closer to decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, passing an ordinance on its first of three readings at the body’s Tuesday, Sept. 6, meeting.

Councilman Berlin Boyd is the sponsor of the ordinance, which would allow Memphis police the option of writing a ticket with a $50 fine for possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana. Boyd has amended the ruling to increase fines for multiple offenders and exempt juveniles from its provisions.

92. City Council Pot Ordinance Passes Its First Reading - Thursday, September 8, 2016

The Memphis City Council is one step closer to decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, passing an ordinance on its first of three readings at the body’s Tuesday, Sept. 6, meeting.

Councilman Berlin Boyd is the sponsor of the ordinance, which would allow Memphis police the option of writing a ticket with a $50 fine for possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana. Boyd has amended the ruling to increase fines for multiple offenders and exempt juveniles from its provisions.

93. Enoble Business Capital Offices Sell in Foreclosure - Thursday, September 8, 2016

813 Ridge Lake Blvd.

Memphis, TN 38120

Sale Amount: $9.6 million

Sale Date: Aug. 31, 2016

Buyer: Merchants Capital Real Estate LLC

94. Memphis Brewers Say Success Breeds Success - Thursday, September 8, 2016

Three years after Memphis’ craft brewing scene exploded, the city is poised for immense growth.

“There’s no reason why dozens of breweries couldn’t open in the city,” said Drew Barton, co-founder of Memphis Made Brewing Co.

95. Blues City Brewery to Undergo Repairs - Wednesday, September 7, 2016

The Blues City Brewery in South Memphis is getting an upgrade. McCon Building Corp. recently filed a $1.4 million building permit for “repairs to brewery” at 5151 E. Raines Road.

96. Council to Vote on Pot Ordinance, Hear Coliseum Proposals - Tuesday, September 6, 2016

It may be one of numerous items on the Memphis City Council’s consent agenda Tuesday, Sept. 6, voted on all at one time.

Or the first of three readings of an ordinance that would allow police to write a citation with a fine for possession of less than a half ounce of marijuana could be met with an attempt to vote it down.

97. Concerts, Pop-Up Events and Beer Gardens Are Feeding Business at The TapBox - Saturday, September 3, 2016

A traveling beer-mobile with a variety of taps on the side for easy pouring might sound like a dream straight from Homer Simpson’s head, but partners McCauley Williams, J.R. Kingsley and Justin Brooks of The TapBox have turned that dream into a reality, creating several multi-tap refrigerated devices that are popping up at more events across Memphis.

98. Last Word: $60 Million, Frozen Graceland and Wreck It Ralph's Return - Friday, August 26, 2016

The federal government’s problem with a law the Tennessee Legislature passed earlier this year is serious -- $60-million serious.

And Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, in Hickory Hill Thursday, said he’s working on a compromise that would have the Legislature undo what it did this year when the new legislative session begins in January.

99. Toast to the Achievement School District - Thursday, August 25, 2016

Somebody forgot to tell the Achievement School District it had to follow a few simple rules when the Legislature formed it a few years ago to save failing schools: Primarily, don’t party with the money.

100. Last Word: The Wiseacre Deal, City Hall Goes To Pot and TEDx Memphis - Wednesday, August 24, 2016

That was quick. Less than a week to come up with lease terms between the city and Wiseacre Brewing for the Mid-South Coliseum including a due diligence period that is the first order of business.