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Arts Beat: Here’s who’s up for the best in Memphis theater

editors@dailymemphian.com ( The Daily Memphian Staff) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:08:28 -0500

Celebrating the best in Memphis theater for the 2025-2026 season, this year’s Ostrander Awards take place at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center.

What makes a great music city? Music Export Memphis has thoughts

barnes@dailymemphian.com (Eric Barnes) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:03:55 -0500

Eric Barnes talked to Elizabeth Cawein, the executive director of Music Export Memphis, about what Memphis does right — and could do better — in being a music city.

Where to watch the World Cup Final and party like it's 2003 or Halloween

bphillips@dailymemphian.com (Bianca Phillips) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 20:11:29 -0500

In this week’s To-Do List, we’ve got ways to celebrate 30 years of the North Mississippi Allstars and 30 years of the V&E Greenline.

Memphis Public Libraries book sales, used-book storefront closed until further notice

nmclane@dailymemphian.com (Noah McLane) — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 13:20:13 -0500

Memphis Public Libraries’ failure to reach an agreement on a fundraising plan with the volunteer group Friends of the Library means some temporary changes.

Pure fantasy: Anime Blues Con combines costumes and community

mwaddell@dailymemphian.com (Michael Waddell) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:02:21 -0500

Costumed attendees, also known as cosplayers, pour into the Renasant Convention Center for the annual event that blends fun and friendship.

The art of Paris cafe society comes to the Dixon

barnes@dailymemphian.com (Eric Barnes) — Thu, 9 Jul 2026 12:23:07 -0500

The Dixon Gallery & Gardens’ Julie Pierotti joins Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar” to talk about the Dixon’s new exhibit, “Café Society: Art and Sociability in Paris, 1855-1914.”

A very artsy weekend with some pole vaulting and an armored smackdown

bphillips@dailymemphian.com (Bianca Phillips) — Thu, 9 Jul 2026 13:29:44 -0500

In this week’s To-Do List, you can learn to listen like an artist and help some art kids get to Italy.

Trials set for Landers Center lawsuits over booking Black artists

afleming@dailymemphian.com (Aarron Fleming) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:53:02 -0500

The two federal lawsuits claim DeSoto officials tried to block Black performers from being booked at the venue, then fired leaders who refused to go along.

Memphis Movies This Week: ‘The Invite,’ Kurosawa’s ‘Ran’

cherrington@dailymemphian.com (Chris Herrington) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:49:49 -0500

Comedies opening this weekend: “The Invite” and “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass.”

5 must-see concerts in July

eperry@dailymemphian.com (Elle Perry) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:52:31 -0500

Acclaimed musicians from as close as North Mississippi and as far as England are bringing their sounds to the Mid-South this July. Here are five highlights.

WYXR's director about music, AI and the evolution of the station

barnes@dailymemphian.com (Eric Barnes) — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 22:01:22 -0500

Robby Grant joined Eric Barnes on this episode of “The Sidebar” to talk about how WYXR has evolved, the range of program and events it supports and the station’s growth into an arts and community organization.

Independence Day fun, 'Incognito' art and beer mile that's not really a mile

bphillips@dailymemphian.com (Bianca Phillips) — Thu, 2 Jul 2026 18:59:43 -0500

In this week’s To-Do List, we tell you where to get red, white and boozy and how to see Kirk Whalum play for free.

Anti-AI show-and-tell is all about generating interest in 'real artists'

ataylor@dailymemphian.com (Amaya Taylor) — Wed, 1 Jul 2026 14:22:33 -0500

“It just doesn’t make sense for people in a city where our water is being used up by the data center … to contribute to that,” said one of the hosts for Lamplighter Lounge’s first anti-AI show-and-tell.

Memphis Movies This Week: An early look Indie Memphis gem ‘Blue Heron’

cherrington@dailymemphian.com (Chris Herrington) — Sat, 4 Jul 2026 20:41:56 -0500

One of 2026’s standout arthouse films so far is coming to Studio on the Square for a one-night Indie Memphis screening.

Latest 'American Idol' winner coming to Bartlett

mwaddell@dailymemphian.com (Michael Waddell) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:42:43 -0500

Hannah Harper, a Missouri native, won season 24 of “American Idol” earlier this year, in part due to her original song, “String Cheese.”

Everything old is new again: Memphis thrifters dig the vintage vibe

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:06:10 -0500

Two separate Downtown events dedicated to second-hand items, from clothing to jewelry to old beer steins, attracted devoted shoppers Saturday afternoon.

Overton Park Shell breaks ground on $2M artist lounge

nmclane@dailymemphian.com (Noah McLane) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 10:10:10 -0500

Overton Park Shell board members kicked off the groundbreaking ceremony with a special musical surprise and shared what the future holds for the current artist lounge.

Summer parties, West Coast cruising culture and B.B. King's second chance

adrake@dailymemphian.com (Alys Drake) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:41:11 -0500

In this week’s To-Do List, a band of medical pros play on a rooftop, a 1975 coming-of-age classic is on the big screen and songwriters compete to have the “Last Song Standing.”

Fourth of July events to light up across Memphis area

ataylor@dailymemphian.com (Amaya Taylor) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:45:35 -0500

Neighborhoods and cities across the metro area will host events ranging from fishing rodeos to fireworks.

Man or Astro-man? and Death to headline Gonerfest 23

eperry@dailymemphian.com (Elle Perry) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:23:00 -0500

A surf rock band from Alabama and a pioneering punk rock band from Detroit are among the 30+ bands scheduled for the 23rd Gonerfest.