The program hasn’t been without controversy, though. In 2023, Memphis Reads officials chose the book “His Name Is George Floyd” by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa.

This week, Mempho takes over Radians Amphitheater, pumpkin season is on at the Dixon and the Hi-Tone turns 25. 

Jody Stephens, the only surviving member of legendary Memphis band Big Star, was joined on stage by Mike Mills of R.E.M., Pat Sansone of Wilco, Jon Auer of The Posies and Chris Stamey of The dBs to audibly re-create Big Star’s second album, “Radio City,” at Crosstown Theater Tuesday night. Reporter Jody Callahan was there, notepad and phone camera in hand.

“I hope to show students that creating music is this gift and a tool that they can use not only to enrich their lives but the lives of others,” said Jenny Davis, executive director of the program.

At the same time that “The Penguin” is the most promoted series on HBO, the biggest new movie on the big screens is “Joker: Folie à Deux.” But if you looking for an Oscar contender, check out “The Outrun.” 

A new fund aims to help area artists through “catastrophic” emergencies that hinder their ability to perform and/or earn income. 

“(Artina McCain) is adding a wealth of resources in terms of talent that she brings in,” Prizm’s director said. “The Mahogany Chamber Series is highlighting that tremendously and Memphis needs to see it.”

Also this month, a rising Louisiana folk singer and a well-known jazz saxophonist come to Minglewood Hall, a multi-platinum rock band comes to the Snowden Grove and a slew of ’90s R&B heartthrobs take the Landers Center stage.

Big Star drummer Jody Stephens will be joined by members of R.E.M., the Posies and Wilco to perform the “Radio City” album in its entirety Tuesday at a celebration of the album’s 50th anniversary.

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Good and bad. Right and Wrong. Sanity and madness. Ballet Memphis explores the link between opposing forces throughout its 38th season, starting with a classic. 

The chair of Rhodes’ department of art and art history said the gift gives students the opportunity to develop a professional network to rely on once they graduate. 

Art shows on view in October include the Metal Museum’s Master Metalsmith, two shows at Sheet Cake Gallery and two photographers at Brantley Ellzey’s Summer Studio.

The Airways Boulevard and Park Avenue intersection is now also known as 8Ball Boulevard and MJG Avenue for the duo whose lyrics proclaim they’re “part of the streets, ’cause the streets are a part of us.” 

The Podbox Memphis Podcast Festival will also have a pitch competition for a chance to win podcast coaching. 

This week, sneakers meet art and cocktails at Artifacts, Memphians tell stories at TEDx and Orchestra Noir is bringing Y2K back.

An alumnus donated 50 pairs of Nike Dunk sneakers — free for each of Delano Elementary’s kindergarten students.

James Carr’s “The Dark End of the Street,” a little-known but oft-covered song, is possibly the greatest Memphis soul song of all time.

Other movies showing this week: the horror movie “Azrael,” biopic “Lee,” religious movie “Faith of Angels,” partisan documentary “Vindicating Trump” and more.

Major music figures from elsewhere often appear at the event to celebrate Memphis music greats, though perhaps few with the stature of Young.

Rhodes, Chalmers, Rhodes — a white country-music sister act and a sax player for Jerry Lee Lewis — were backup singers for most of Al Green’s 1970s soul hits. And now they’re getting their due in the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. 

The “Great Balls of Fire” singer was memorialized Friday when local officials, Lewis fans and members of his family saw the statue of his likeness unveiled in a plaza bearing his name at Southaven’s Silo Square.

The Country Music Association has announced its nominees for the 58th annual CMA Awards. 99.7 The Wolf (WLFP-FM) has been nominated for CMA Broadcast Award for Medium Market Station of the Year.

Cartwright joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of “The Sidebar” to talk about his life and even his house, which was owned by some of the musicians who played with Johnny Cash.

Coming soon: a prize-winning drama from a local playwright, a theater company’s first musical production and free Shakespeare performances around town.

What started as a small Greek pastry bazaar is now a 15,000-plus person festival.