This Week In Memphis: October 5th

In This Weeks Edition: How a downtown movie palace defined Memphis entertainment for half a century, Tigers go 6-0, Grizzlies Basketball is back, and more.

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This is Memphis 〽️
October 05, 2025

Welcome back to This Week in Memphis! This weekend was one for the books!

The Memphis Tigers steamrolled Tulsa 45–7 at the Liberty Bowl to move to 6–0 for the first time since 2015—and officially punch their ticket to bowl eligibility. The Tigers now hold the longest active win streak in college football at 10 straight, dating back to last season. Wideout Cortez Braham’s one-handed touchdown catch was pure Memphis magic - with some calling it the catch of the year!

Cortez Bramhill scores a TD for Memphis with a one handed catch.

Meanwhile, Memphis Botanical Gardens came alive for Mempho Fest 2025. Widespread Panic rocked the crowd two nights in a row, and tonight’s finale closes out with homegrown heroes Lucero and headliner Tyler Childers bringing the weekend home.

Photo Credit to Adarryll Jackson, Sr.

While the national news might be painting a bad picture of our wonderful city, let this weekend be a reminder of how great this city is. Its music, its sports, its people - you.

As we head into the week of October 6–12, 2025, we’ve got some fun stories from Memphis history and exciting events lined up. Let’s dive in.

On This Week in Memphis History

A Grand Curtain Rises: The Opening of Loew’s State in Memphis

Loews State Theater shown here in 1968 at the premier of Elvis’ Stay Away Joey movie.
Pictured in the background: Chisca Hotel

When Loew’s State Theatre opened its doors on October 7, 1920, downtown Memphis gained one of the grandest movie palaces in the South. Located at 152 South Main Street, the theater dazzled guests with marble staircases, stained glass chandeliers, and a 150-foot lobby leading into a 2,500-seat auditorium. For decades, it was a hub for film premieres, live performances, and even a young Elvis Presley, who once worked there as an usher.

By the late 1960s, as suburban multiplexes took over, the curtain began to close on downtown’s golden movie era. Loew’s State showed its final film in 1970, marking the end of a cultural landmark that had stood for half a century. Its demolition soon followed, as Peabody Place Avenue was cut through the very block where crowds once lined up for opening night.

Today, the site is part of Peabody Place, a mixed-use development of shops, offices, and apartments. While the building itself is gone, its story lives on as a symbol of the city’s cinematic past and downtown rebirth.

📖 Read the full story and see historic photos at ThisIsMemphis.co

Also this week in Memphis history:

🎂 Mike Conley - #11 turns 38 on the 11th!

🎂 Lil Wyte - Birthday, October 6. Memphis Rap Legend and Hypnotize Minds alum celebrates another year.

What’s Happening This Week

Memphis is bursting with energy this week! From the Grizz ballin’ again to iconic food festivals and open-air concerts, here’s your guide to the best happenings in the 901:

Grizzlies Return!

Basketball is BACK! Grizzlies have a few preseason games starting this week:

October 7th - Pistons @ Grizzlies

October 9th - Celtics @ Grizzlies

October 12th - Hawks @ Grizzlies

Edge Motorfest

🎨 Date & Time: October 11, 1:00 PM

📍 Location: Edge District

Check out 150+ vehicles, live music, and food in the Edge District. Spectator entry is free for this community car show. This event is going to be full of good times!

Crosstoberfest at Crosstown Brewing Company

🎨 Date & Time: October 11, 4:00 PM

📍 Location: Crosstown Brewing Company

Celebrate Oktoberfest with beer, music, vendors, and contests all day at Crosstown Brewing Company.

Memphis Country Blues Festival ft. Kingfish

🎨 Date & Time: October 10-11

📍 Location: Levitt Shell

Two nights of Memphis Blues at the Levitt Shell! Experience Christone “Kingfish” Ingram live on Friday, and North Mississippi Allstars on Saturday at this ticketed benefit concert for true Memphis blues fans.

Memphis Bacon & Bourbon Festival

🎨 Date & Time: October 10, 6:00 - 9:00 PM

📍 Location: FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms

Taste bacon-inspired dishes and bourbons while enjoying live music. Proceeds benefit Memphis Farmers Market.

MOSH: Laser Live Concert Series ft. Cameron Bethany

🎨 Date & Time: October 11, 10:00 PM

📍 Location: Museum of Science & History

Enjoy a live band with a laser light show as Shell On Wheels, WYXR, and Crosstown Brewing join forces for this genre-bending concert.

Thank you for reading and being part of the Memphis story. This newsletter exists because of you.

If there’s an event we missed, or a Memphis history story or birthday you’d like us to highlight, email us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.

See you next week, Memphis!