🤸 9 things to do in the 901 this weekend

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Good afternoon, Memphians! Welcome to the This is Memphis newsletter, your no BS, go-to source for all things Bluff City delivered every Thursday.

And welcome to all the new subscribers from the Sana Yoga giveaway. ICYMI, one lucky newsletter subscriber will be receiving a FREE month of yoga at Sana. You still have a chance to enter, see the post HERE.

In today’s newsletter:

• New inductees in the Memphis Music HOF

• 9 things to do this weekend

• Tim Howard stepping down

• A look at the Peanut Shoppe in Memphis

And much more. Let’s get to it.

-Jonah Baer & Reuben Skahill

🗞️ The Digest

New inductees announced for Memphis Music Hall of Fame 🎸

Since its inception in 2012, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame has inducted 97 people.

On Tuesday, the HOF announced 9 new inductees, bringing the total to over 100 members, showcasing the rich history of Memphis music. Here’s a little about several of the inductees (who you might not have heard of):

• James Carr: Highly regarded soul singer from the 60s, who surprisingly never recorded with Stax or Hi, primarily releasing music with Memphis indie label Goldwax.

• The Gentrys: This Memphis rockband’s song “Keep on Dancing” peaked as the No. 4 song in the country in 1965.

• Kevin Kane: Longtime president/CEO of Memphis Tourism, who popularized Memphis’ slogan as “the home of the blues and birthplace of rock n’ roll”

• Jack Soden: President and CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises who helped launch the opening of Graceland in 1982.

Other inductees include Kallen Esperian, Spooner Oldham, Jazze Pha, Wilson Pickett, and Rhodes, Chalmers, & Rhodes. You can read about every inductee here.*

Reshaping the Mud Island Museum 🎢 

Mud Island’s Mississippi River Museum is set to transform into an immersive adventure named Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time, led by local artist and technologist Christopher Reyes.

This project will repurpose the 33,000-square-foot facility, with the first phase opening by the end of the year, and will showcase Memphis’s vibrant creative community through a continuously evolving experience. Learn more about the venture here.

Who are the candidates for the new U of M athletic director? 🏅 

The U of M will begin interviewing a small pool of six candidates for the Athletic Director job this week, after Laird Veatch left the program in April to the AD at Missouri.

Some of the candidates include Tennessee deputy athletics director Ryan Alpert, Clemson deputy director of athletics Kevin White, Virginia deputy AD, and Buffalo VP and AD Mark Alnutt.

The university said they plan to have its new hire in place before the 4th of July.

The Cheesecake Factory closing after 9 years 🧀 

On Monday, The Cheesecake Factory announced in a statement that it would be closing its doors. The restaurant chain, with 200 locations nationwide, has been a staple in Wolfchase Galleria since September 2015.

Tim Howard steps down from 901 FC ⚽️ 

After 5 years with the club, the retired Hall of Fame goalkeeper, announced on Wednesday that he’s retiring from his position as sporting director. The club is 3rd in the West after their win on Saturday and looks forward to their next matchup in Las Vegas this Sunday.

_{*Indicates paid 3rd party source}

〽️ A Taste of Memphis History

The Peanut Shoppe on Summer Ave (which is now on S. Main) opened in 1959 as a Planters Peanuts. Eventually, Planters Peanuts stopped their retail locations and it became The Peanut Shoppe.

Saturdays there was always a man dressed up as Mr. Planter Peanut, and he would give out samples. There was a mechanical horse ride for a nickle. The first McDonald's in Memphis was just next door. If you took your report card to the McDonald's with straight A's, you would get a free burger back in the day.

Anyone else have cool stories of the old Peanut Shoppe?

(P.S. If you have interesting Memphis history to share with us, we’d love to hear from you!)

🤸 9 Things To Do in the 901

There are tons of cool things to do in the M this weekend. Get out there and see all Memphis has to offer!

• Kix on Beale with George Birge and Ryan Larkins | June 20, 7:30 PM | Handy Park

  
  These shows are always a good time and draw a good crowd. Between the backdrop of the city skyline to the historic buildings of Beale, it's a sight to behold.
  

• Peabody Rooftop Party | Thursday, 7 PM | Peabody Rooftop
  
  Every Thursday night. All Summer long. Get downtown tonight if you want some drinks and amazing views!
  

• Free Concert Series at The Shell | Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 PM | Overton Park Shell
  
  The free concerts at the historic bandshell is a beloved tradition. Sit back in the grass or in your lawn chair and enjoy a nights of funk, soul, hip-hop, house music and more. Check out Cedric Burnside tonight (Thursday), Lamont Landers on Friday, and Blvck Hippie on Saturday.
  
  Cost: FREE
  

• Come From Away | June 21 - June 23, 7:30 PM | Orpheum Theatre
  
  Don’t miss this breathtaking musical written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, directed by Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley and musical staging by Tony-nominee Kelly Devine. The tour is directed by Daniel Goldstein with musical staging by Richard J. Hinds, based on the original Broadway direction and choreography.
  
  Cost: Starting at $39
  Get your tickets here.
  

• Summer Solstice Artists Pop Up Market | Saturday, 1 PM - 7 PM | Memphis Made Brewery
  
  Come to our FREE Artists Pop Up Market at Memphis Made Brewery in Cooper Young! Sip craft beer and shop local handicrafts from Memphis artists. Featuring: pottery, jewelry, art, curios and more!
  

• Memphis Redbirds vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | All weekend | AutoZone Park
  
  Go catch the Redbirds play this weekend! On Thursday (tonight), they have $2 draft beers and $1 hot dogs and on Saturday, they will have fireworks postgame.
  

• Pickleball 901 Summer Series | June 22-23, 12 PM | Grind City Brewering
  
  Saturday and Sunday will feature FREE pickleball to the public in the Grind City parking lot.
  
  Learn more here.
  

• Craft Food and Wine Festival | June 23, 3 PM - 7 PM | The Columns
  
  Join us at The Columns in Downtown Memphis, TN for the 5th Annual Craft Food & Wine Festival! Indulge in a delightful evening of delicious food, exquisite wines, and live music. This in-person event is a fantastic opportunity to support Church Health, a local organization dedicated to providing accessible healthcare to those in need.

  
  Cost: $95
  Learn more here.
  

• “The Memphis 13” Screening | June 25, 7 PM | Temple Israel
  
  Next Tuesday, this 35-minute documentary will be followed by a time for questions. Guests will include Rabbi Micah Greenstein and Daniel Kiel, the University of Memphis law professor who directed and produced the film on the 13 Black first-graders who integrated four Memphis City Schools in 1961.
  
  Cost: Free
  Register HERE. (registration is required)

📸 Photo of the Week

📸 Joe Birch via FB | The Great Wall of Audobon Golf Course - projected opening August 1, 2024

DM us on Instagram to have your photography showcased in the newsletter!

📰 Instagram Post of the Week

Anyone else bummed about The Cheesecake Factory leaving? 😭 

🌡️ WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

94 🌡️ 73 | ⛅️ | 4%

Saturday

94 🌡️ 75 | ⛅️ | 15%

Sunday

94🌡️ 76 | | 17%

THANK YOU MEMPHIS!

Thanks for reading the This is Memphis newsletter today. Please share it with someone who loves The Peanut Shoppe.

And please reply to this email with anything else you’d love to see from us in the future. We truly love hearing from you.

See you next Thursday!

The This is Memphis Team