Jada Ojii

A new festival will shine a light on women in the local music scene. The inaugural Women in Memphis Music (WiMM) Festival will take place Saturday, June 24, at Midtown’s Hi-Tone Cafe.

The Overton Park Shell has a new tool to bring concerts all over the city. As part of the Shell on Wheels program, the nonprofit unveiled the Mobile Shell Thursday, July 27, at the former Coca-Cola bottling facility on Hollywood Street. The new venue is a scale mobile replica of the Overton Park Shell, originally built in 1936. “The main goal of the program is to make performance art,” said Yolanda Kelly, Shell on Wheels outreach manager. “When I first started, a lot of the feedback that I’ve heard when we’re getting to know different organizations, different artists, is just how much the costs are when it comes to putting these (concerts) together.”

Fans hoping to see Drake hit the FedExForum this weekend are in for a disappointment, as the Grammy-winning rapper’s Memphis stop has been canceled. Drake was scheduled to perform on Sunday, Aug. 6, at the FedExForum as part of his “Drake: It’s All A Blur Tour.” FedExForum said the following statement was provided by the tour team: “Due to the magnitude of the production of the Drake concert, it is logistically impossible to bring the show as designed to the FedExForum on August 6th. Unfortunately, the show is cancelled. Refunds will be issued at point of purchase.”

As he struggles to get his campaign back on track after a disappointing debate performance, President Joe Biden is turning his attention to Black voters.Biden has booked a sit-down interview on Black Entertainment Television (BET), set to air Wednesday, July 17. In a press release this weekend, BET announced the president will be interviewed by award-winning journalist Ed Gordon during the primetime special titled “Black America Votes: The Biden Interview.” “The conversation will focus on critic...

An exhibition that originated at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, then traveled to the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art in Atlanta, now has its turn in Memphis. “Black American Portraits” features more than 100 works, with images of figures including Frederick Douglass, Grace Jones, Tina Turner, Al Green and Chadwick Boseman.

Following the news that Roxie’s Grocery will be sold, dozens gathered at the North Memphis shop Friday, Aug. 4, to honor the store’s owners, Floyd and Roxie Miller. Roxie’s Grocery, located at 520 N. Third St., opened its doors in 1986. The owners will be retiring and selling the store’s building, which the Millers purchased for $31,500 in 1989.

A local blues music event will celebrate a major milestone. The 20th Tri-State Blues Festival will take place at the Landers Center in Southaven on Saturday, Aug. 19. This year’s festival is also part of the “Blues Is Alright Tour,” which has stops in Tallahassee, Florida; Raleigh, North Carolina; Baltimore; and Tupelo.

Creative Aging, an organization providing creative outlets for Mid-South senior citizens, is celebrating 20 years of service this fall. From art and crafts opportunities to piano, drum and dance classes, Creative Aging offers seniors free ways to express their creativity and discover new hobbies.

The holidays are here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re searching for the perfect wine to complement the meal we’ve been waiting for all year. But one issue that I (and many others) find when storing wine in the fridge, especially if using a corked wine, is maintaining freshness.

Memphis residents said their final goodbyes to the closed Poplar Avenue location of CK’s Coffee Shop at 1698 Poplar Ave. after the building was demolished on Tuesday, June 13. CK’s regularly served Memphians coffee, as well as homey breakfast food options, pastries and diner favorites like BLTs and burgers, even into the late night hours.

Rain didn’t ruin the event, but it was in the forecast for Thursday afternoon. Jazmin Miller, Carpenter Art Garden executive director, made it clear beforehand that a little precipitation shouldn’t hurt the children’s fun. “So if it rains later, that’s not an unfortunate piece,” Miller said. “That’s the whole point. It’s there. And it’s gone. But the ... kids walk away with that memory of what they did, of what they created together.” With a high temperature of 97 degrees on Thursday, coolers of cold water were handed out.

Guitars are the focus of two exhibitions currently on view in Memphis. The Memphis Museum of Science and History (MoSH) is hosting one exhibition highlighting local Memphis musicians. The second is a national touring exhibition that displays the history of the guitar in America. “Grind City Picks: The Music That Made Memphis” serves to inform Memphians about the musicians and guitarists who’ve made a cultural impact in and around the Bluff City.

Dozens of local teens interested in health care gathered at Methodist University Hospital on Friday, July 7. As part of the Career Launch Academy, teens toured the hospital. Part of Memphis Medical District Collaborative’s Hire Local initiative, the annual summer program launched in 2022 and has been providing young Memphians an opportunity to discover different healthcare-related career opportunities since. “It’s basically an on-ramp for them to get access to jobs, but we call it our Career Launch Academy because we spend a lot more dedicated time with them than we do typically with the adult population,” Latasha Harris, a MMDC program director, said. “In the summer, it gives us a chance to really get them thinking about what they want to do and to help them to start working on credentials.”

President Joe Biden addressed Damar Hamlin’s frightening medical emergency on Wednesday after speaking with the Pennsylvania native’s parents. He also addressed safety concerns in the NFL. President Joe Biden addressed Damar Hamlin’s frightening medical emergency on Wednesday after speaking with the Pennsylvania native’s parents. He also addressed safety concerns in the NFL. Speaking with reporters, Biden was asked if “the NFL is getting too dangerous.” Speaking with reporters, Biden was aske...

After being taken into custody last December, Patrick Clark, the accused shooter of Migos rapper Takeoff, has been released from Houston’s Harris County Jail.

Hippin Hops Brewery and Oyster Bar recently had their grand opening in East Atlanta Village, making it the first-ever Black-owned brewery in Georgia. The unique business welcomes all beer lovers and offers various food options and games for guests to play. Described as “fresh, bold, and hearty flavors, with the right amount of malt and hops, sweetness and bitterness,” Hippin Hops offers guests authentic craft beers, including both lagers and ales. As for the menu, Hippin Hops lives up to its nam...

Decades after becoming Auburn University’s first Black student to desegregate the college, Harold A. Franklin will be recognized with a dedication ceremony on-campus, highlighting his efforts and lasting legacy two months after his death. Attending Auburn University in 1964, Franklin will be honored in the ceremony this Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Ralph Brown Draughon Library. According to the Associated Press, a marker detailing Franklin’s historical integration was placed near the library in 201...